David Farland talks about different readers seeking different emotional releases from stories. Some seek adventure, others humor, some like to scared out of their wits. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold would be the scared stupid reaction. I actually thought I might have nightmares after reading the first few chapters but couldn't put it down. When my husband asked me what the book was about, I immediately told him, "Don't ask. You'd hate it." Of course, that's when he pressed me for an answer. "It's about rape, and murder, and a terrible killer," I explained. He made a face. He likes football movies.The writing was so strong in this book. There were times that the writing felt so transparent that I drank the story in, didn't even notice the words on the page. I sprinted through the book, amazed by the author's wonderful use of point of view. Susie tells the story in first person, but she's dead, and gets to watch everyone else and know their thoughts. So I got the intimacy with first person, yet wasn't limited by her singular view point. I understood so many characters this way, and I think she weaved in and out of everyone's minds flawlessly.
About three-quarters of the way through the book the story dragged. I don't know if it's just my short attention span, if the story needed to shortened there, or if I just didn't identify with Susie's mother. I don't want to spoil the book, so allow me to say I didn't understand her choices. Or if I sort of understand her choice, I thought Sebold could have explained her mother's rationale a bit better.
There was this one sentence that I wanted to share--it was so well written, but am not certain I want on my blog. The book deals with some tough issues, and I think I've found another book I wouldn't want my future teenage child to read.
It was incredible and I am amazed by this writer's talent. The first few chapters were a great lesson on building tension, and I liked the surprise at the end.
Interesting, but I heard the movie was terrible-granted from people that like my kind of movies so...
ReplyDeleteI haven't talked to anybody about the movie. I'd like to watch it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteSounds like it's worth a read.
Al
Publish or Perish
My daughter loved this book. And all my English teachers that do Young Adult and Adolescent Lit have it on their bookshelves.
ReplyDeleteI've been staying away from this one because I know how sad it is. But maybe I should give it a try?
ReplyDeleteGreat review!
Al, you're welcome.
ReplyDeleteSarahjayne, it kind of bothers me that this is a book recommended for schools. I will teach my children abstinence and this book will hinder that outlook (aside from the rape, of course).
Aubrie, maybe. If you don't like sad you might not like it.
Lovely Bones is haunting. Your eloquent review above captures it perfectly. I also recommend her autobiography LUCKY which is the emotional "back story" of Bones. Sebold has a stunning memory for details as you see in Lucky, the true story of when she was raped when she was in college. Tobias Wolff (author of the wonderful memoir This Boy's Life) was her professor at the time, and he told her to "remember everything." She did, both when she went to trial (where her amazing memory, strength, and courage put the man behind bars) and when she finally wrote Lucky, which is an incredible read. There's also her novel The Almost Moon that is an incredible read too.
ReplyDeleteI can't read books about this subject - no matter how good they're supposed to be. It's so against humanity and every parents' worst nightmare. My sister loved the book.
ReplyDeleteThis is still on my to-read list, though I do fear to have certain images indelibly placed in my head. Maybe I could just skim. It does change things, to learn that the author was a victim of rape herself. My daughter (17) went to the movie and though it scared her, she said she appreciated the portrayal of danger in a seemingly safe world. I have heard the movie is not as graphic as the book.
ReplyDeleteAs always, thanks for the review!
Theresa, I don't blame you.
ReplyDeleteKrista, I'm glad the movie is tamer than the book. I have to see it though. I wish it wasn't typical for teens to have sex in so many YA books.
I really enjoyed this book (as horrible as that sounds) but people are always shocked when I tell them that. It was really well written and an interesting story, horrible, but interesting. After Ann Best's comment here, I might read her book Lucky.
ReplyDeleteI saw the movie, and I don't think I could read the book. The movie sugarcoated a lot of stuff, and even then, it was hard to watch at times. I've heard a lot of great things about her writing, though.
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ReplyDeleteHey, I left something for you on my blog! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, KM!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and I saw the movie and we both had nightmares. Do you know how close the movie followed the book? I'll tell you, I've had a hard time watching Stanley Tucci every since. But you have me very curious about the book.
ReplyDeleteWow--the movie gave you nightmares? I'll bet the book would give you even more!! And now YOU have me curious about the movie. :)
ReplyDeleteI won't lie, I hated the movie. It was one of those experiences where I wished I could have gotten those two hours of my life back. I agree with Kathi that it was disturbing enough to give me nightmares but other parts of it were so ridiculously far-fetched for me that I lost interest. But that's the movie. And I tend to be a tough critic.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the book but I've heard the writer is quite talented.
I like your honesty, LT. Different stories reach different people. If it weren't true a lot of us wouldn't ever have any hope of finding an audience.
ReplyDeleteI read this book a while back and felt much like you did. I think at one point, I thought: heh?
ReplyDeleteBut it was still very good, although, yikes, super creepy. BUT given the nature of the book, it wasn't nearly so creepy I couldn't read it. I think Sebold handled things very well. It didn't feel thrillerish or really scary, so I was able to read it as I don't really care for really scary books. I liked this one, but I still had to stop and take breaks from it. It was rather heart wrenching at times.
Great review!
Thanks for the review. I would like to read this book. I would love to see the movie, though, having children of my own, I think it will be hard to watch.
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